Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 59, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 April 1909 — AUDITOR FOUND ERROR IN S. R. NICHOLS’ FAVOR. [ARTICLE]

AUDITOR FOUND ERROR IN S. R. NICHOLS’ FAVOR.

Former Treasurer Charged Twice With Which Amount Be Files Bill For. Former County Treasurer S. R-, Nichols was considerably elated Friday when it was found that there was a credit in his favor of $1,328.93, which 'Auditor Leatherman had found in checking up the accounts of the two offices. It will be remembered that Nichols refused for some time to make complete settlement of the .accounts with .which he was charged following the expiration of his term of office. He said that he was convinced-that mistakes had been made and that he was overcharged. During last year several mistakes were unearthed and at the meeting of the county commissioners in January Nichols made complete settlement of the claim, but he did so under protest and with the understanding that the commissioners were later to direct an investigation by experts of the books. Provision was made for the hiring of the experts but none have so far been secured. - Auditor Leatherman and his deputy have, however, been going over thebooks whenever they found any time, and a few days ago they discovered that Nichols had been charged twice .with the sum of $1,328.93, and that he is entitled to recover that amount. Mr. Nichols was notified and a bill was filed for action at the next meeting of _ the county commissioners. The mistake came about in this manner. Before the bonds were Issued for the Iroquois ditch considerable money had been paid in and the treasurer’s office reported the amount received. In this report was included the county’s own assessment of sl,328.93, and Nichols was charged with the entire amount, although the county's, assessment had not at that time been paid In and was not paid until the subsequent meeting of the commissioners. * The amount was then ; charged to him again and the double charge remained against him undiscovered untif'the auditor and his. deputy found Jt when checking up the! ditch assessments. The blame can in no manner be attached to the auditor’s office, and it was a mistake that was sure to be discovered in time, but it justifies the position taken by Mr. Nichols at the time, that he was charged with more than he owed the county, and the mon-ey-will be returned to him when the 'commissioners again meet.